Container for food or other objects

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a first container for at least one food item. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, and a pair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelf positioned in an interior of the container. The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon and is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a container for food or other objects that maybe classified in U.S. Class 229 Subclass 120.32. In one example, theinvention is directed to a cardboard pizza box for carrying out ordelivery, or for frozen pizza, but not limited to those purposes.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional pizza box may be bulky and occupy a large footprint,which requires excessive counter or table space to accommodate the pizzabox. The large footprint and awkward size of the conventional pizza boxfurther creates difficulty in the transportation of the pizza by foot,motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles. This difficulty intransportation of the pizza also results from the fact that the pizzabox must be held flat to prevent the pizza from sliding and destroyingthe integrity of the pizza. It is also difficult for a user to hold theconventional pizza box flat by one or two hands while transporting thepizza.

Furthermore, the cheese on a pre-cut pizza placed in the box tends tomelt thereby fusing the slices back together during transport. Thisrequires the end user to re-cut the pizza or tear it apart by hand,which creates an unsanitary serving environment.

Pizza boxes or other containers for food or other objects may benefitfrom improvements.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of exemplary embodiments to provide an improvedcontainer for food or other objects.

It is another object of exemplary embodiments to provide a container forfood or other items that can be easily stored and transported.

It is a further object of exemplary embodiments to provide a containerthat can accommodate various sized items.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in thefollowing Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and the appendedclaims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in one exemplary embodiment by anapparatus that includes a paperboard container for at least one fooditem. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, and apair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extendingupwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelfpositioned in an interior of the paperboard container and between theside panels. The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to beplaced thereon and is accessible from one of the front portion and therear portion.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an apparatus thatincludes a container constructed from a first blank of material isprovided. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, anda pair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extendingupwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelfpositioned in an interior of the container and between the side panels.The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereonand is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for a folded a paperboard pizza boxaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for a folded shelf assembly of thepaperboard pizza box according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view the blank of FIG. 1 with someportions folded and assembled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 with someportions folded and assembled.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 with someportions folded and assembled to illustrate the assembly of the rearpanel to the pizza box.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the pizza boxshowing the shelf assembly of the pizza box positioned outside the pizzabox.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of theexemplary embodiment with the front cover panel, side front flaps, andtop front flap unfolded.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of theexemplary embodiment with the front cover panel unfolded.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of theexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment showing a carrying handle secured to twopizza boxes.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank for a folded shelf assembly of thepaperboard pizza box according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 7 and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 20 thatcomprises a paperboard pizza box 22. The pizza box 22 may be assembledfrom a blank 24 (FIG. 1). The blank 24 may be formed in one piece of asuitable foldable material such as a continuous sheet of corrugatedcardboard. The pizza box 22 may include one or more shelves forreceiving food items. Two shelves may be removable from the pizza boxand assembled together from a blank 26 (FIG. 2) of a suitable foldablematerial such as a continuous sheet of corrugated cardboard.

In the following further description of the exemplary embodiment, thewords “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “forwardly”,“rearwardly”, “upwardly”, and “downward” are used with reference to theviews of FIGS. 7 and 9 unless indicated otherwise. As seen in FIGS. 9and 10, the pizza box 22 includes a pair of opposite upstanding rightand left side panels 28, 30 (as viewed in FIG. 9), a top panel 32, abottom panel 34 (FIG. 7), an upstanding rear panel 36 (FIG. 10), and afront cover panel 38. The top panel 32 is perpendicular to the sidepanels 28, 30 and extends between the side panels 28, 30 at the upperends of the side panels 28, 30.

As seen in FIG. 9, the top panel 32 includes two spaced apartrectangular slots 40 for securely receive axial ends of a wishboneshaped handle 42. The handle 42 may be suitably constructed to besecured to the pizza box 22 so that a user may carry the pizza box 22using the handle 42. For example, the handle 42 may be a rectangularpiece formed of molded plastic with each axial end having laterallyextending tabs that extend underneath the top panel and engage the toppanel to prevent the handle from being removed. Alternatively, onelengthy rectangular slot 43 (as seen in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7) instead ofthe two smaller spaced apart rectangular slots 40 may formed in the toppanel 32 to securely receive the wishbone shaped handle 42 for carryingthe pizza box 22. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle may be arectangular cardboard piece that is part of or integrally formed withthe cardboard bank.

As seen in FIG. 7, the bottom panel 34 is substantially flat and extendsbetween the side panels 28, 30 at the lower ends of the side panels andis parallel with the top panel 32. A rectangular right side flap 44extends upwardly from the right side end of the bottom panel 34. A slot46 (FIG. 1) is formed in the right side flap 44 adjacent the right sideend of the bottom panel 34. The slot 46 slidably receives a tab 48extending from the bottom edge of the right side panel 28. The tab 48frictionally engages the slot 46 after the tab 48 is inserted into theslot 46 to secure the right side panel 28 to the bottom panel 34 andright side flap 44. The tab 48 converges slightly going in the directionaway from the right side flap 44 for easy insertion into the slot 46.The right side panel 28 covers the right side flap 44 when assembled. Afirst pair of vent openings 50 is formed in the right side panel 28, anda second pair of vent openings 52 is formed in the left side panel 30.In addition to allowing venting of the heat and moisture in the interiorof the box 22, the vent openings 50, 52 may also be used for viewing aninterior 53 of the pizza box 22.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the rear panel 36 extends from the rear end ofthe right side panel 28 to the rear end of the left side panel 30 and isperpendicular with respect to the side panels 28, 30. As seen in FIG. 5,a rear support flap 54 extends a partial distance from the rear end ofthe left side panel 30 toward the rear end of the right side panel 28. Apair of slots 56 is formed in the rear support flap 54 adjacent the rearends of the left side panel 30. The slots 56 slidably receive a pair oftabs 58 extending from the left edge of the rear panel 36. Each tab 58frictionally engages its respective slot 56 after insertion into theslot 56 to secure the rear panel 36 to left side panel 30 and rearsupport flap 54. Each tab 58 converges slightly in the direction awayfrom the left edge of the rear panel 36 for easy insertion into itsrespective slot 56. It should be noted that alternatively, the sidepanels 28, 30 need not be perpendicular to the rear and front coverpanels or the top and bottom panel. For example, the side rear panelsmay be curved to define an upstanding semicircular side and rear wall.

Referring to FIG. 7, when assembled, the panels define the interior 53of the box 22. The box 22 includes a built-in center shelf support 60that is formed when the box is assembled from the blank 24. The shelfsupport 60 is located in the interior 53 of the box midway between thetop and bottom panels 32, 34. The shelf support 60 extends between theside panels 28, 30 and between the rear panel 36 and front cover panel38. Specifically, the shelf support 60 is formed from upper and lowershelf portions 62, 64 (indicated in FIG. 5). The lower shelf portion 64includes a rear flap 66 that extends upwardly and perpendicular from therear end of the bottom panel 34 and a shelf end panel 68 that extendsforwardly from the upper end of the rear flap 66. The rear flap 66 andthe shelf end panel 68 approximately span the distance between the rightand side panels 28, 30. The lower shelf portion 64 further includesopposite left and right side support flaps 70, 72 that extend downwardlyand perpendicular from the side ends of the shelf end panel 68. The leftside support flap 70 abuts against the bottom panel 34 and the rightside support flap 72 abuts against the tab 48. The side support flaps70, 72 support the shelf end panel 68 from downward forces. The uppershelf portion 62 includes a rear flap 74 that extends downwardly andperpendicular from the rear end of the top panel 32 and a shelf endpanel 76 that extends forwardly from the lower end of the rear flap 74.The upper shelf portion 62 further includes a left side support flap 78that extends upwardly and perpendicular from the left side end of theshelf end panel 76. The left side support flap 78 abuts against the toppanel 32 and thus supports the shelf end panel 76 from upward forces.The shelf end panel 76 of the upper shelf portion 62 is positioned uponthe shelf end panel 68 of the lower shelf portion 64 and both shelf endpanels 68, 76 are oriented parallel with the top and bottom panels 32,34. This double panel configuration along with the rear and side supportflaps provide a strong and rigid center shelf support that minimizessagging. When the box 22 is assembled, the rear panel 36 covers the rearsupport flap 54 and rear flaps 66, 74 of the center shelf support 60.

A top front flap 80 extends downwardly from the front end of the toppanel 32 and includes a slot 82 (FIGS. 1 and 8) adjacent the front end.A T-shaped flap 84 that defines a serving spatula is detachably attachedby a perforation line 86 to the lower end of the top front flap 80. Asdepicted in FIG. 8, the flap 84 extends downwardly and may terminatenear the bottom panel 34, when the box is assembled. The T-shaped flapor spatula 84 may be detached from the top front flap to serve the pizzaslices or other food items in the box or may be used to serve items notin the box as well. The spatula includes a serving handle 88 thatextends from a serving blade 90, which is used for picking up the fooditem or other object. Referring to FIG. 8, a right side front flap 92extends from the front end of the right side panel 28 a distance towardthe left side panel 30 such that it is positioned partially over theT-shaped flap 84 and the top front flap 80 when the box 22 is assembled.A left side front flap 94 extends from the front end of the left sidepanel 30 a distance toward the right side panel 28 such that it ispositioned partially over the T-shaped flap 84 and the top front flap80.

The front cover panel 38 includes a center tab 96 that extendsrearwardly from the top end (when the box 22 is assembled). The tab 96is slidably received by the slot 82 and after insertion into the slot82, the tab 96 frictionally engages the slot 82 to secure the frontcover panel 38 to the top panel 32 and the top front flap 80, yet may bedisengaged from the slot 82 by a user applying rearward force on the tab96 to allow a user to open the front cover panel 38 to gain access tothe interior 53 of the box 22. The tab 96 converges slightly in therearward direction for easy insertion into the slot 82. The front coverpanel 38 covers the side front flaps 92, 94 when assembled. The frontcover panel 38 may be attached to the bottom panel 34 by a perforationline 98 so that the front cover panel 38 may be easily detached for useas a serving plate. Optionally, the front cover panel may include aperforation line 176 (see FIG. 1) so that a front half 178 of the frontcover panel 38 may be torn away from a rear half 180 of the front coverpanel 38 and be used as a serving plate.

As seen in FIGS. 6-8, removable shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b may beinserted into the interior 53 of the box to create additional shelves.In this exemplary embodiment, an upper shelf assembly 100 a may bepositioned in the interior 53 of the box 22 above the center shelfsupport 60 and a lower shelf assembly 100 b may be positioned in theinterior 53 of the box 22 below the center shelf support 60 as seen inFIG. 7. The shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b may be identical with respectto each other and constructed from identical pre-perforated blanks 26(FIG. 2). The blank 26 may be formed in one piece of a suitable foldablematerial such as a continuous sheet of corrugated cardboard. Each shelfassembly includes upper and lower shelf panels 102, 104 that are spacedapart from each other. Each of the shelf panels 102, 104 includes anarcuate cutout 106 formed at the center of the front end. The shelfpanels 102, 104 are interconnected to each other at their left and rightside ends by respective vertical right and left side panels 108, 110. Aright support tab 112 extends upwardly and perpendicular from the upperend of the right side panel 108. The upper shelf panel has a cutout 114that matches and receives the right support tab 112 when the shelfassembly is a blank 26. A rectangular double paneled support flap 116extends downwardly and perpendicular from the lower end of the rightside panel 108.

A left support tab 118 extends downwardly and perpendicular from theupper end of the left side panel 110. The lower shelf panel 104 has acutout 120 that matches and receives the left support tab 118 when theshelf assembly is a blank 26. A rectangular double paneled support flap122 extends upwardly and perpendicular from the lower end of the leftside panel 110. An upper rear stiffener flap 124 extends upwardly fromrear end of the upper shelf panel 102, and a lower rear stiffener flap126 extends downwardly from the rear end of the lower shelf panel 104.Each of the rear stiffener flaps 124, 126 is identical to each other andarcuately and convexly shaped. Each of the assembled shelf assemblies100 a, 100 b has an angle of rotational symmetry of one hundred eightydegrees. That is, when the assembled shelf assembly is rotated onehundred eighty degrees about a central axis A that extends between thefront and rear of the shelf assembly, it will retain the same shape orconfiguration. This symmetrical design of the blank 26 also makes iteasier to position and mount the shelf assembly into the box 22.

When the lower shelf assembly 100 b is positioned in the box, the rightsupport tab 112 and the support flap 122 at the left side panel 110 abutor are in close proximity to the shelf end panel 68 of the lower shelfportion 64, and the support flap 116 at the right side panel 108 and theleft support tab 118 abut the bottom panel 34. The support tabs 112, 118and support flaps 116, 122 provide upward and downward support for thelower shelf assembly 100 b positioned in the interior 53 of the box 22.Also, when the lower shelf assembly 100 b is position in the box 22, therear stiffener flaps 124, 126 bear against the rear flap 66 of the lowershelf portion 64 to prevent sagging of the upper and lower shelf panels102, 104.

When the upper shelf assembly 100 a is positioned in the box 22, theright support tab 112 and the support flap 122 at the left side panel110 abut or are in close proximity to the top panel 32, and the supportflap 116 at the right side panel 108 and the left support tab 118 abutthe shelf end panel 76 of the upper shelf portion 62. The support tabs112, 118 and support flaps 116, 122 provide upward and downward supportfor the upper shelf assembly 100 a positioned in the interior 53 of thebox 22. Also, when the upper shelf assembly 100 a is positioned in thebox 22, the rear stiffener flaps 124, 126 bear against the rear flap 74of the upper shelf portion 62 to prevent sagging of the upper and lowershelf panels 102, 104.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, each shelf assembly includes the two shelfpanels 102, 104 that define two shelves. When the upper and lower shelfassemblies 100 a, 100 b are positioned in the box 22, the shelfassemblies combine with the bottom panel 34 and the built in centershelf support 60 to provide a total of six individual surfaces toaccommodate six food items (e.g. six slices of pizza). The surfaces orshelves may also be equally spaced from each other, and the spacebetween the bottom panel 34 and lower shelf panel 104 of the lower shelfassembly 100 b may also be the same distance as the distance betweenadjacent shelves or surfaces. Because the shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 bmay be removably mounted inside the box 22, one or both of the upper andlower shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b may be easily removed and insertedby a user's hand without the use of tools and without breaking the box22. One or both of the upper and lower shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b mayalso be removed so that the box 22 can accommodate large or tall itemssuch as sandwiches, salads, or breadsticks.

In this exemplary embodiment, two shelf assemblies are used. However, inother exemplary embodiments, the box may be configured such that theheight of the interior area is increased to allow more shelf assembliesto be positioned in the box. In these embodiments, the support flaps andsupport tabs of a first shelf assembly may abut the shelf panel of ssecond shelf assembly adjacent the first shelf assembly. In otherexemplary embodiments, the box 22 may be configured such that the heightof the interior area is decreased to so that the center shelf supportand bottom panel are only used for placing small items. In general, thesize of the box may vary, and the number and position of shelfassemblies may as well be varied to accommodate various sizes and numberof food items or other objects. For example, the lower shelf assembly100 b may be removed so that a cold sandwich or salad container may beplaced on the bottom panel 34 while hot pizza slices are placed on theshelf panels 102, 104 of the lower shelf assembly and shelf end panel 76of the center shelf support 60. The shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b mayalso be removed from the interior 53 of the box with food item(s) on oneor both of the shelf panels 102, 104 and be used as serving plates. Theshelf assembly may be unfolded back to the flat blank formation as seenFIG. 2 and then torn or separated along the perforation lines 128, 130into two halves in which each half may be used as a serving plate. In analternative arrangement, the pizza box could be turned around onehundred eighty degrees such that the front cover panel would be the rearcover panel. In this arrangement, the shelves would be accessible fromthe rear instead of from the front.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the apparatus maycomprise first and second pizza boxes 22 connected together by thehandle 42 to allow a user to use the handle 42 to carry two pizza boxes22 at the same time. In particular, the pizza boxes 22 are positionedwith respect to each other such that the rear panel 36 of the firstpizza box 22 faces and contacts the rear panel 36 of the second pizzabox 22. This arrangement allows access to the interior 53 of both pizzaboxes from the front of each respective box 22 after the front coverpanel 38 and flaps 80, 84, 92, and 94 are folded away. The top panel 32of the first pizza box 22 includes an additional slot 132 formed thereinfor securely receiving one axial end of the handle 42, and the top panel32 of the second pizza box 22 includes an additional slot 132 formedtherein for securely receiving the other axial end of the handle 42.Each of the pizza boxes 22 is similar in all other aspects to the pizzabox 22 shown in FIGS. 1-9.

Each pizza box 22 may be hand folded from three cardboard blanks withthe handle 42 connected to the top panel 32. In particular, the methodof assembling the pizza box begins with orienting the blank 24 for thebox 22 so that the spatula 84 faces down as viewed in FIG. 1. Thereference numbers for fold lines described below are shown in FIG. 1.Then, the left side support flaps 70, 78 of the lower and upper shelfportions 64, 62 are folded forwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) alongtheir respective fold lines 134, 136 adjacent their corresponding shelfend panels 68, 76. With reference to FIG. 3, the side support flaps 70,78 are then grasped and rolled towards the downward direction D suchthat the shelf end panels 68, 76 are folded forward along fold lines138, 140 between the respective shelf end panels 68, 76 and the rearflaps 66, 74. Then, the rear flaps 66, 74 are folded forward along foldlines 142, 144 adjacent the respective rear flaps 66, 74 and top orbottom panels 32, 34 to form the configuration shown in FIG. 3. The topand bottom panels 32, 34 are then folded forwardly (as viewed in FIGS.1-4) and towards each other along the fold lines 146, 148 between theleft side panel 30 and top or bottom panel so that the shelf end panels68, 76 face and abut each other as seen in FIG. 4. The right sidesupport flap 72 of the lower shelf portion 64 is then folded towards theright side flap 44 along the fold line 150 adjacent the shelf end panel68 of the lower shelf portion 64 of the central shelf support 60, andthen the right side support flap 72 is positioned underneath the rightside flap 44 as also shown FIG. 4. The right side panel 28 is thenfolded (along fold line 152 adjacent the top panel) over the rightsupport flap 72 of the lower shelf portion 64, and the center tab 48 isinserted in to the slot 46 of the right side flap 44. Referring to FIG.5, the rear support flap 54 is then folded (at the fold line 153adjacent the right side panel 28) over the rear flaps 66, 74 of thecentral shelf support 60. The rear panel 36 is then folded over the rearflaps 66, 74 and the rear support flap 54 along a fold line 154 adjacentthe right side panel 28 and the tabs 58 are inserted into theirrespective slots 56 of the rear support flap 54.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the removable shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 bis then assembled as follows. First, the upper rear stiffener flap 124is folded forwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) along its respective foldlines 156 adjacent its respective shelf panel 102, and the lower rearstiffener flap 126 is folded forwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) along itsrespective fold lines 158 adjacent its respective shelf panel 104. Theblank 26 for the shelf assembly is folded rearwardly (as viewed in FIG.2) in half at the perforation lines 128, 130. Then, as depicted in FIG.6, each of the support flaps 116, 122 are grasped by a user's hand androtated or folded along respective fold lines 160, 162 in the clockwisedirection (as viewed in FIG. 6) which also causes the side panels 108,110 to rotate or fold along their respective fold lines 164, 166. Thisfolding is continued until the support tabs 112, 118 and support flaps116, 122 are positioned perpendicular with respect to the shelf panels102, 104 as seen in FIG. 7. The shelf assembly may then be slidablymounted in the interior 53 of the box 22. With reference to FIG. 8,after the optional one or more shelf assemblies are mounted in the box22, the top front flap 80 is folded over the interior 53 of the box 22at a fold line 168 adjacent the top panel 32. The right and left sidefront flaps 92, 94 are then folded partially over the top front flap 80and T-shaped flap 84 along fold lines 170, 172 adjacent their respectiveside panels 28, 30 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The front cover panel 38 isthen folded over the side front flaps 92, 94 and the tab 96 is insertedinto the slot 82 of the top panel 32 to complete the assembly of thepizza box 22 as seen in FIG. 9. The carry handle 42 is then attached tothe pizza box.

To remove the shelf assemblies 100 a, 100 b, a user unfolds the frontcover panel 38, side front flaps 92, 94 and top front flap 80, graspsthe shelf assembly and slides it out of the box 22. The shelves carrythe slices of a pizza and thus allow the pizza box to be constructed ofa smaller footprint than a conventional pizza for the same size pizza.Further, the box and shelf construction is self-contained and usestab-in-slot type connectors so that gluing is not needed to connect theportions. The pizza box maybe used to carry items other than pizza orfood as well.

FIG. 11 shows a blank 224 of a pizza box of another exemplaryembodiment. This blank 224 is similar to the blank 24 of the previouslymentioned embodiment except for that discussed below. In this blank, theleft side support flap 270 of the lower shelf portion 64 and the leftside support flap 278 of the upper shelf portion 62 are spaced adistance away from the rear panel 36, when assembled, to allow the tabs258 to extend completely through the slots 56 without extendingforwardly beyond the rear edges of the flaps 270, 278. The tabs 258 alsoextend a distance shorter than that of the tabs 58 of the previouslymentioned exemplary embodiment, such that they extend completely throughthe slots 56 without extending forwardly beyond the rear edges of theflaps 270, 278. Also, the tabs 248, 296 extend shorter than that of thetabs 48, 96 of the previous mentioned embodiment, and the right sidesupport flap 272 includes a cut out 273 through which the tab 248 toextends. The rear flap 274 of the upper shelf portion 62 and the rearflap 265 of the lower shelf portion 64 include cut outs 259 throughwhich the tabs 258 extend. The elements 270, 278, 258, 248, 296, 274,265 are substantially similar in all other aspects to theircorresponding elements 70, 78, 58, 48, 96, 74, 66, respectively.

Thus exemplary embodiments achieve at least some of the above statedobjectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices and systems, solve problems, and attain the desirable resultsdescribed herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity, and understanding, however, no unnecessary limitations are tobe implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptivepurposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, thedescriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and theinvention is not limited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art as being capable of performing the recited function,and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown in theforegoing description or mere equivalents thereof. The provisions of anAbstract herewith shall not be construed as limiting the claims tofeatures discussed in the Abstract.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships are setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first paperboardcontainer for at least one food item comprising: a substantially flatbottom panel; a pair of opposed side panels extending upwardly from thebottom panel; a front portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel;a rear portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; and at least afirst shelf positioned in an interior of the first paperboard containerand between the side panels, wherein the at least first shelf isconfigured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon, wherein thefirst shelf is accessible from one of the front portion and the rearportion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a carryinghandle secured to the first paperboard container.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least first shelf may be removable.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least a second shelf, whereinthe at least second shelf is positioned in the interior of the firstpaperboard container and between the side panels, wherein the at leastsecond shelf is removable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstpaperboard container is constructed from a blank of material, whereinthe blank of material includes a spatula for serving the food item,wherein the spatula is detachably attached to the blank.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first paperboard container isconstructed from a blank of material, wherein the front portioncomprises a front panel, where the front panel is detachably attached tothe blank.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a secondpaperboard container for at least one food item and a carrying handle,wherein the carrying handle is secured to the first paperboard containerand the second paperboard container.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe first paperboard container is a pizza box, wherein the at leastfirst shelf is configured to receive at least one pizza slice.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear portion includes a rear panel,wherein the rear panel is positioned between the side panels, whereinthe front portion further includes a front cover panel position betweenthe side panels, wherein the front cover is operative to be in a openposition for allowing access to the interior of the first paperboardcontainer and a close position for covering the interior of the firstpaperboard container.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstshelf includes a stiffener flap, wherein the stiffener flap isconfigured to bear against the first paperboard container to helpsupport the first shelf.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstpaperboard container includes at least one vent opening.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shelf assembly formed from ablank of material, wherein the shelf assembly includes the first shelfand a second shelf.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shelfassembly is removably mounted in the first paperboard container.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shelf assembly formed from afirst blank of material, wherein the shelf assembly includes a secondshelf and a third shelf, wherein the shelf assembly is removably mountedin the first paperboard container, wherein the first paperboardcontainer is constructed from a second blank of material.
 15. Anapparatus comprising: a container constructed from a first blank ofmaterial comprising: a substantially flat bottom panel; a pair ofopposed side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a frontportion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a rear portionextending upwardly from the bottom panel; and at least a first shelfpositioned in an interior of the container and between the side panels,wherein the at least first shelf is configured for allowing a food itemto be placed thereon, wherein the first shelf is accessible from one ofthe front portion and the rear portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15further comprising a shelf assembly formed from a second blank ofmaterial, wherein the shelf assembly is mounted in the container andpositioned between the side panels, wherein the shelf assembly includesa second shelf and a third shelf.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 whereinthe shelf assembly is removably mounted in the container.